The competition was held on Tuesday, 19 February 1952, at 10 a.m. Thirty speed skaters from 12 nations competed.

(*) The record was set on naturally frozen ice.

Four speed skaters were faster than the standing Olympic record.

Hjalmar Andersen set a new Olympic record with 16:45.8 minutes.

Ingar Nordlund and Johnny Werket gave up.